Overweight adolescent men more likely to develop severe liver disease later in life

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-06/ehs-oam061316.php

Public Release: 16-Jun-2016
Overweight adolescent men more likely to develop severe liver disease later in life
Body mass index in late adolescence predicts development of subsequent severe liver disease, according to 40-year study of nearly 45,000 Swedish men, reports the Journal of Hepatology
Elsevier Health Sciences

The first study that shows that overweight in late adolescence in men is a significant risk factor for developing severe liver disease later in life has been published in the Journal of Hepatology. Contributing to the strength of this research are the large group of men studied (close to 45,000), very long follow-up time (nearly 40 years), and the high percentage of individuals who remained in the study (1% loss to follow-up).

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The incidence of several liver diseases, especially non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), has increased globally over the last few decades. During the same time, overweight, defined as a BMI above 25, and obesity, defined as a BMI above 30, have increased in both Europe and the USA, as well as globally. It has been estimated that if current trends continue, there will be more than two billion overweight and over one billion obese individuals worldwide by 2030. Obesity in adults has been linked to an increased risk for liver-related death or hospitalization in individuals both with and without liver disease, as well as a higher risk for liver cell cancer. In addition, overweight and obesity are associated with a worse prognosis in several liver diseases, such as NAFLD, hepatitis B and C, and alcoholic liver disease.

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The results showed a 64% increased risk for overweight men compared to men of low normal weight, or a 5% increased risk per per 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI.

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